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Agro-ecologyNetwork:Anexampleof

partnershipandknowledgesharing

By Cristina Sette

September 30, 2013

Introduction to the Network “RAU”

The concept of an agro-ecology network initiated in 2010,

among a group of professors and staff from the State University

of Campinas (UNICAMP). The initiative gained support from

UNCAMP directors as they recognized the lack of long term

university extension work and the need to institutionalize the

work being done in agro-ecology. Through a public call from the

Ministry of Agrarian Development (MDA) to link university’s

extension services with the National Policy on Technical

Assistance and Rural Extension (PNATER), the UNICAMP

professors were able to secure initial funds to build the network,

create its identity and the theories behind its objectives.

In 2011, the agro-ecology network “Rede de Agroecologia da

UNICAMP – RAU” was launched with the objective of seeking practical results that would enhance

mutual support among its members, social support and adoption of agro-ecology practices. The

desired main results of the Network are as following:

• More support to farmers / agro-ecological producers

• More research and extension in agro-ecology

• Integration of actions and experiences within the Network

• The development of social technologies focused on agro-ecology

• Awareness and participation of new social actors

• Promotion of healthy eating and conscious consumption

The RAU operates by mainly promoting meetings, fairs and other face-to-face activities that enable

interactions among participants and inclusion of new actors.

Members to the Network and their roles

The Network counts with the participation of 83 members, which includes farmers, extensionists,

technicians from CATI (Sao Paulo State agency for technical assistance), and UNICAMP students, staff

and professors.

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The interactions among the Network members are perceived to be both ways, from demand and

from supply sides. Technicians and university

staff work closely with farmers on

understanding their needs and delivering the

appropriate service. On the other hand,

farmers interact with consumers to

understand their needs and preferences.

Consumers also learn how to eat healthier.

Members of the Network, like Mrs Giovanna

Fagundes, the technical coordinator and an

employee of UNICAMP, work to promote and

disseminate the work being done by RAU and

attract consumers to the farmers market.

In addition to the farmers market, Mrs

Fagundes organizes educational events, so

members of the Network increase their

knowledge and practical experiences on agro-ecological farming and commercialization.

Farmers market

When the Network’s activities started, the main demand from farmers was a space for

commercialization of organic products. With support from RAU, a farmers market called “Sexta na

Estação” – Friday at the Station was launched. Today, the market commercializes products from

farmers and from farmers associations, allocated in three different groups. Farmers are located

within 80km from the market, in the region of Campinas (southeast part of Brazil). All farmers

possess an organic producer certificate, facilitated by the

Network.

Mr Eduardo de Souza, an active member of the Network and

farmer, sees the “Friday at the Station” market as an

alternative to additional income, since he deals directly with

consumers, without an intermediary. Mr Souza participates in

other farmers market in the region and is satisfied with his

sales. He expressed his desire for increasing the number of

consumers at the market, since the farmers he represents are

able to increase their production, if there is a market for it.

The experience of Mr Souza is shared by other farmers, such as

Mr Diego Grespan de Oliveira, an agronomist and farmer,

representing the Yamaguishi Association

(http://www.yamaguishi.com.br/). For Mr Oliveira, the

farmer’s market removes the intermediary step between his

production and consumers. The market provides good facilities

and proves to be a profitable alternative to his association on commercializing its products. Mr

Figure 1. Organic vegetables by farmer Eduardo de Souza

Figure 2. Yamaguishi Association and its

certified products

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Souza’s only concern is the number of consumers attending the market which, according to his views,

could be expanded. Currently, about 80 regular consumers, from the city of Campinas, attend the

Friday market.

Other farmers, like Ms Elisa Tassi, who produces organic

strawberries and strawberry jam

(http://www.nectardocampo.blogspot.com/), appreciates the

income the market offers, where she is able to sell all her

production with a good profit. In her case, where she also has

processed products, she faces some challenges to have the

endorsement of sanitary surveillance department to sell

processed organic products, even though she has attended

courses on best practices (offered by SENAR1). Ms Tassi and her

partner, Mr Guilherme Vieiralves ,are farmers but also provide

technical assistance to other agro-ecological farmers in the

region.

Consumers find the market attractive and offer products of high

quality, in spite of the prices being higher than local retailers. The

market facilities are convenient, with free parking and indoor

facilities. The additional activities, such as debates and video projections are also a novelty to

consumers, who can thereby learn how agro-ecological farming works.

Advisory services

The Network provides several ways for knowledge, expertise, and information to be shared and

ways to reach those in need. The advisory services are provided by all members of the Network, in

their own ways, and based on their own needs.

• Technicians, mainly from extension agency CATI, provide workshops, facilitate seminars,

develop booklets and information packages, besides learning from other members of the

Network;

• University staff carry out research based on demand and future tendencies (supply), as well

as incorporating the information learned from the Network in their teaching curricula;

• University students acquire practical experience and experiment with concepts of agro-

ecology to become better prepared agricultural professionals;

• Farmers interact with other farmers to share practices and information with technicians to

learn about new techniques, with university staff for advocacy on policies and programs for

agro-ecology, and interact with consumers to understand their demands;

• During the workshops/videos/seminars consumers learn how food is produced, healthy

eating habits, new recipes, and provide feedback to technicians, farmers and researchers on

their preferences.

1 SENAR- National Service of Rural Learning, offered by a parastatal institutions http://www.senar.org.br/

Figure 3. Maria Elisa Von Zuben Tassi

and Guilherme Cruz Vieiralves,

strawberry producers

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Sustainability

The Network is funded with resources from the Ministry of Agrarian Development (MDA), in addition

to resources from UNICAMP and the municipality, who contributes to the maintenance of the

market facilitates. There are also great in-kind contributions from technicians and farmers. There are

no perspectives on how the Network activities, and the farmer’s market, could continue without the

financial contributions of MDA and its members. There were no discussions on fees or other

memberships to continue the Network activities, mainly with the maintenance of the farmer’s

market, despite its positive impact. Regardless, the financial sustainability of the Network, , and the

interest from farmers and technicians to continue the collaboration was clear from the interviews, as

both see mutual benefits from being part of the Network.

Figure 4. Friday at the Station Market